Shree Godachi Veerbhreshwar swami

 Sri Kshetra Godachi Veerbhadreshwar Swamy Temple.

  District : Belgaum

  Taluk.  Ramadurga

  Town : Godachi

   Godachi is a small village in Ramadurga Taluk of Karnataka.  This place is in Belgaum district and it has many beautiful temples including Sri Veerabhadra Temple.  A famous fair is held here every year.

    Godachi is a small village famous for the Godach Jatre or fair held every year in the months of November-December.  The Godachi fair is held in honor of Sri Veerabhadra, the presiding deity of the main temple here – the Veerabhadra Temple.

     Veerabhadra Temple is a composite style of Chalukya and Vijayanagara architecture.  The gateway is built in the Chalukya style, the garbhagraha or sanctum sanctorum reflects the Vijayanagara style of temple building.

  Story 

    Godachi Veerabhadreshwar Temple was created by Lord Shiva to destroy the threads made by King Daksha.  The Veerabhadra Temple exhibits a blend of architectural styles of the Chalukya and Vijayanagara empires.  The doorway is built to reflect the Chalukya style, while the garbhagraha is in the Vijayanagara style of construction.  Veerabhadra is believed to be a form of Lord Shiva and considered to be one of the most devoted attendants of Lord Shiva.

Veerabhadreshwar Swami was born from Shiva. After incredulous displeasure, Tandava was executed to kill Daksha Maharaja. This performance came about because of Daksha, the father of Sati Devi (Parvati Devi). He performed a wonderful Yajna, known as Dakshyani. Shiva was not welcome here and the rest of the heavenly abode divine beings were needed for this yajna. Sati Devi welcomed Shiva to come there for her sake. However, Shiva does not come and send alone. Goddess Sati addresses her father for not welcoming her significant other. In front of the various rulers present, Daksha lost control with her questioning and said that he was not a god to be welcomed here. Angered by his words, she immolated herself on the chimney where the yajna was to be held and stopped the yajna. Knowing this penance of Sati Devi, Lord Shiva made Virbhadra kill Daksha. Realizing this, all the enlightened Gurus proposed him to remain silent and requested him to be pardoned and given life. In this way, Goddess Sati was regenerated by his forces and was subsequently known as Goddess Parvati.

  Godachi - Facts

     Godachi Jatre or fair is held in November or December in the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar. Traditionally, temple festivals and fairs in India are not only religious celebrations but also serve as social and commercial gatherings and the Godachi fair is one such occasion.

Traders and artisans from nearby villages gather here to display and sell their wares

     Religious items like vermilion, flowers, woodwork, stone carvings, handicrafts, clothes, agricultural produce, cattle - all are sold in temple fairs.

     The Veerabhadra temple and fair attracts devotees from all over Karnataka and the neighboring state of Maharashtra

     Veerabhadra is believed to be another form of Shiva and also an attendant of Shiva

     Amavasya and Purnima days are of particular importance here and most people visit the temple on those days.

   How to reach Godachi Veerabhadreshwar Temple

    By Air: Belgaum Airport - 64.4 km, Hubli Airport - 73.0 km, Bijapur Airport - 89.9 km.

    By Rail: Guledagudda Road Railway Station 51.5 km, Badami Railway Station - 51.8, Aluru Railway Station - 52.4 km, Ghataprabha Railway Station - 53.2 km, Gokak Railway Station - 53.4 km.

   By road: Ramadurga - 14 km, Belgaum - 86 km, Savadatti - 41 km, Dharwad - 132 km, Hubli. 

Thank you to all

Written by santosh BM